We are glad to announce that Good Friends Meditation Center will move to a new location in Maryland this summer. Away from downtown, the new location is surrounded by woods and provides a better environment for meditation. In addition, there is an ample space for parking, so you don't have to worry about tickets any more! Please stay tuned for more updates. Thank you for your support!

We cordially invite you to a Lotus Lantern Ceremony, on the occasion of Buddha’s Birthday. The ceremony will be dedicated to peace in the Korean Peninsula and the World.

It will take place on Saturday, May 15th from 10:30-1pm & 2:20pm-4:40pm, in the Constitution Gardens just off the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Church of the Epiphany near the White House (please see the attached map).

Lighting a lantern on Buddha’s Birthday symbolizes the enlightenment of sentient beings through Buddha’s wisdom and compassion. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, we would like to call upon the wisdom and compassion of the world to bring an end to the war and bring about peace and reconciliation to the region.

The ceremony will consist of two parts. In Part I, everyone is invited to make their own lotus lanterns, as well as hear from Venerable Pomnyun and other luminaries. We will also feature traditional Korean merrymaking performances. For Part II, the venue is moved to the Church of the Epiphany near the White House. We will engage directly with Venerable Pomnyun in his renowned Q&A Dharma Talk, “Design Your Life with True Happiness,” which will be interpreted from Korean to English to encourage active participation from everyone.

We hope you can join us for this joyful and happy celebration on Buddha’s Birthday and look forward to seeing you on May 15th.

Sincerely yours,

=========================================================

A Lotus Lantern Ceremony on the Occasion of Buddha’s Birthday-Dedicated to peace in the Korean Peninsula and the World-